Self-lubricating wheel.



J. F. KING. sELE LUBRIGATING WHEEL. APPLIUATION FILED AUG. 3. 1908.

Patented May 11, 1909.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 UNTTED STATEd TATlEh-TT tll lh ltfihi,

JOHN F. KING, OF KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO ARTHUR LYMAN PRATT, OF KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN.

SELF-LUBRIGATING WHEEL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 11, 1909.

Application filed August 3, 1908. Serial No. 446,689.

T 0 all whom it may concern;

Be it known that 1, JOHN F. KING, a citizen of the United States, residing at Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo county,,h;{ichigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Self-Lubricating Wheels, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in self-lubricating wheels.

My improved self-lubricating wheel is especially adapted for use as a trolley wheel, and I have illustrated it embodied in such a structure, although it is capable of embodiment and certain features are very desirable, for use in various other relations. The main objects of this invention are: First, to provide an improved self-lubricating wheel in which the lubricant is automatically fed to the journal by the revolution of the wheel. Second, to provide an improved self-lubricating wheel which keeps the parts thoroughly lubricated, and at the same time, uses only a minimum amount of lubricant. Third, to provide an improved self lubricating which is very desirable and is effectively lubricated without affecting the electrical contacts.

Further objects, and objects relating to structural details, will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specification.

The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure embodying the features of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, in which Figure 1 is a detail side elevation of a structure embodying the features of my invention. Fig. 2 is a detail section, taken on a line corresponding to line 22 of Figs. 1 and 3. Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on a line corresponding to the broken line 33 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4; is a plan view of the bushing of my improved wheel.

In the drawing, the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section lines, and

trolley wheel the escape of the lubricant.

similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawing, my improved wheel 1 is provided with an oil chamber or reservoir 2, which entirely surrounds the hub The chamber 2 is provided with. partitions i, which divide it into compartments. These partitions l are preferably irregularly curved and arranged so that their inner ends partially embrace the hub, as clearly appears in Fig. 3. The hub is adapted to receive the bushing 5, which is provided with peripheral grooves 6 and with oil delivery openings 7, the ends of the grooves opening into these oil delivery openings. The inner ends of the partitions are provided with notch-like openings 8, which coact with the grooves 6 in forming communicating opei'iings between the compartments of the reservoir. The bushing 5 is preferably arranged so that the oil openings 7 therein are located at some distance from the ends of the compartment partitions 4:, the object being to prevent the lubricant being delivered to these openings with such force as would cause an unnecessary quantity to be delivered to the journal or bearing pin 9. The lubricant chamber 2 is provided with. an oil inlet which. is preferably closed by screw plug 10. At each end of the bushing I arrange a packing ring or gasket 11. The bearing washers 13 for the ends of the hub are preferably seated in the annular shoulders 1e in the hub, so that they overlap the packing washers and assist in preventing By means of these packing washers and the bearing rings, the lubricant is effectively retained in the hearing. The electrical contact members 18 are preferably arranged in suitable recesses 15 in the forks of the harp 16, the contact members illustrated being in the form of washers sur ounding the journal pin 9 and being held yieldingly in contact with the bearing washers by means of suitable springs, as 17. The contact members, it is obvious, can be very greatly varied without departing from my invention. By thus arranging the parts, the lubricant is introduced into the oil chamber 2, and, as the wheel is revolved, it is, owing to the shape of the partition walls l, passed from one compartment to the other, and flowing down the grooves 6, it is delivered into the oil openings 7.

By arranging the oil openings, as before stated, at some distance from the end of the partition walls, the lubricant is delivered to the journal so that it is effectively lubricated.

The packing washers are suitably held against the ends of the bushing so that the escape of the lubricant is effectively prevented. The bearing washers, overlapping these gaskets, further prevent the escape of the lubricant to the outside of the bearing washers so that it does not interfere, in any way, with the effective contact of the contact members 18 therewith. The bearing washers 13 may be renewed, if desired, but 1 find, in practice, that it is unnecessar under ordinary conditions, as the wheel is likely to be worn out by traveling the trolley wire before the bearing portion thereof is materially worn; in fact, I find that the wear on the bearing or bushing is almost imperceptible after a wheel has been run sufficiently to render it useless, owing to the wearing away of its periphery.

I have illustrated and described my improved self-lubricating wheel in detail in the form preferred by me on account of its structural simplicity and economy. I am aware, however, that it is capable of considerable variation in structural details without departing from my invention, and I desire to be understood as claiming the same specifically, as illustrated, as well as broadly.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. 'A wheel comprising a hub and having an oil reservoir surrounding said hub, a bushing having peripheral grooves and oil holes therethrough, said grooves opening into said oil holes, partition walls dividing said reservoir into a plurality of compart ments, the inner ends of said partition walls being arranged to partially embrace said bushing, having openings therein coacting with said grooves in said bushing to form connecting passages for said oil reservoir compartments, packing washers arranged in said hub at the ends of said bushing, and bearing washers seated in the ends of said hub on the outside of said packing washers and overlapping the same.

2. A wheel comprising a hub and having an oil reservoir surrounding said hub, a bushing having peripheral grooves and oil holes therethrough, said grooves opening into said oil holes, partition walls dividing said reservoir intoa plurality of compartments, the inner ends of said partition walls having openings therein coacting with said grooves in said bushing to form connecting passages for said oil reservoir compartments, packing washers arranged in said hub at the ends of said bushing, and bearing washers seated in the ends of said hub on the outside of said ackin washers and overlapping the same.

A wheel comprising a hub and having an oil reservoir surrounding said hub, a bushing having peripheral grooves and oil holes therethrough; said grooves opening into said oil holes, and partition walls dividing said reservoir into a plurality of compartments, the inner ends of said partition walls being arranged to partially embrace said bushing, having openings therein coacting with said grooves in said bushing to form connecting passages for said oil reservoir compartments.

l. A wheel comprising a hub and having an oil reservoir surrounding said hub, a bushing having peripheral grooves and oil holes therethrough; said grooves opening into said oil holes, and partition walls dividing said reservoir into a plurality of compartments, the inner ends of said partition walls having openings therein coacting with said grooves in said bushing to form connecting passages for said oil reservoir compartments.

5. The combination with a wheel comprising a hub and having an oil reservoir surrounding said hub, of a bushing having oil holes therethrough, partition walls dividing said reservoir into a plurality of compartments, the inner ends of said partition walls being arranged to partially embrace said bushing, there being connecting openings for said compartments at the inner ends of said partition walls, packing washers arranged in said hub at the ends of said bushing, and bearing washers seated in the ends of said hub on the outside of said packing washers and overlapping the same.

6. The combination with a wheel comprising a hub and having an oil reservoir surrounding said hub, of a bushing having oil holes therethrough, and partition walls dividing said reservoir into a plurality of compartments, the inner ends of said partition walls being arran ed to partially embrace said bushing, there being connecting openings for said compartments at the imier ends of said partition walls.

7. A wheel comprising a hub and having an oil reservoir surrounding said hub, a bushing having peripheral grooves and oil holes therethrough, said grooves opening into said oil holes, forwardly-inclined partitio-n walls dividing said reservoir into a plurality of compartments, the inner ends of said partition walls. having openings therein coacting with said grooves in said bushing to form connecting passages for said oil reservoir, packing Washers arranged in said hub at the ends of said bushing, and bearing Washers seated in the ends of said hub on the outside of said packing washers.

8. A Wheel comprising a hub and having an oil reservoir surrounding said hub, a

bushing having peripheral grooves and oil holes therethrongh said grooves opening into said oil holes, and forwardly-inclined partition Walls dividing said reservoir into a plurality of compartments, the inner ends of said partition Walls having openings therein coaeting With said grooves in said bushing to form connecting passages for said oil reservoir.

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of two Witnesses.

JOHN F. KING. L s] Witnesses LUELLA G. GBEENFIELD, GERTRUDE TALLMAN. 

